Book Nooks In
Warm Spaces
In 2023, we launched a new campaign to make reading more accessible across Exeter and Devon - we wanted to put books into the hands of those that needed them most.
We’re proud to bring back the campaign across Autumn and Winter of 2024! With your help, this impactful initiative will see us send new books to select designated warm spaces across Exeter and Devon.
Read on to learn about why we created this campaign, the spaces & bookshops we worked with, and the donations from people & organisations who made Book Nooks in Warm Spaces possible.
In October of 2023 we introduced a new campaign to make reading more accessible across Devon. We worked with four Warm Spaces in Devon who provide a space for community groups, vulnerable individuals & families, and people who may want to spend some time in a warm space over Winter.
We’re proud to bring back the campaign across Autumn and Winter of 2024!
With your help, this impactful initiative will see us send new books to select designated warm spaces across Exeter and Devon!
We believe that in a world fractured by inequalities, increased access to books advances peoples’ literacy levels, economic opportunities, and wellbeing.
In England, 5.1 million adults lack the literacy skills expected of an 11-year-old. Exeter alone has six Wards that have significant literacy need, according to the National Literacy Trust. This literacy gap creates significant obstacles to social mobility, and we hope to change this with our Book Nooks in Warm Spaces campaign.
We have a track record for making books and reading accessible and fun, from free book tokens for bibliotherapy sessions to the Penguin Books Vending Machine at Exeter St David’s Station. We hope you’ll support us in providing free books to our neighbours and communities within Devon.
Belle's Place: Run entirely by volunteers based in the heart of Ilfracombe, Belle's Place is there to help those in need and support the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community.
Wonford Methodist Church: The 'Wonford Welcome' is a Saturday drop-in providing free refreshments and activities for everyone who needs a warm place to spend some time.
The Shambles: Run by Barnstaple Council, The Shambles is a new self contained community space on Barnstaple High Street, used by a range of community groups for all sorts of activities.
St Katherine's Priory: An ancient Benedictine Nunnery, the Priory has been a Community Centre since 1982. Managed by the Stoke Hill Community Centre and run entirely by volunteers, the main hall hosts a weekly Café and The St Katherine’s Food Larder open every Friday.
“Thank you for the donations of books to Belle’s Place. They have been gratefully received both to read at Belle’s Place and to borrow for reading at home. They have been particularly valuable to many of our homeless community.”
Belle’s Place, Ilfracombe
The books we purchase will be sourced from local bookshops!
We’ll shop with the closest indie bookshop to each Warm Space, supporting the local economy.
Earlier this year, the Exeter City of Literature team supported independent bookshops from across Devon by purchasing books for the Warm Spaces with donations from the public and publishers David & Charles!
This project was made possible with support from Devon County Council, David & Charles, and donations from the public.
Reading for pleasure can help develop literacy skills at a greater rate than formal lessons
Improved literacy brings positive societal benefits, including a stronger sense of belonging to society and being more likely to trust others
18% of young people in the South West who receive Free School Meals have fewer than 10 books at home
15.9% of those with fewer than 10 books at home said they read daily
26% of parents said the biggest literacy challenge they faced was less disposable income to spend
This figure rose to 42.8% in families who described themselves as struggling with the increasing cost of living
19% of readers say that reading stops them feeling lonely
Reading for pleasure enhances empathy and understanding of the self and others
Around 16% of adults, or 5.8 million people in England and Northern Ireland score at the lowest level of proficiency in literacy
20% of parents are spending less on books for their children as a result of the increased cost of living
This figure rose to 36.1% in families who described themselves as struggling with the increasing cost of living
31% of adults don’t read in their spare time
Sources:
February 2023 Study: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-young-people-book-access-cost-of-living
November 2022 Study: https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/book-ownership-in-2022
The Reading Agency: https://readingagency.org.uk/our-work/our-research/reading-facts/